Just saw this thread, and many who have posted above share my sentiments. (My "wanted" items are in red)
Little Joe started out making a good point, so I'll follow up: Since GXs are reaching a "surprising affordability" point - especially considering just HOW much truck you can now get for the money - I think we're currently just off the low point of the left side of the bell curve. Just like the other Land Cruisers before them, once the trucks became "affordable," the demand for accessories started to take off in a big way. One of the more recent examples is the 100 series Land Cruiser. It hasn't been THAT long ago that you rarely saw a modded 100. Once people realized the value in that platform, they also started taking note of the truck's capabilities, and the aftermarket took off....... Let's face it, a modded GX is still somewhat of a novelty at most any off-road event you can attend, but they're (thankfully) slowly but surely gaining in popularity, largely due to their decreasing price and recognized capabilities.
Next, burtoncr referenced a rear tire carrier design that I believe is a real winner! Like him and some others, I'm not really that fond of a lot of the front and rear replacement bumpers out there. There's nothing wrong with them, they're just not to my taste/needs. That being said, for those of us who wish to keep our factory bumpers - whether due to style or price of replacement (or both) - an exterior tire carrier that could utilize the factory plastic is dead on! I had a tire carrier on an old 80 that utilized the factory bumper, and it was just what I wanted. The one burtoncr referenced as an example is even a better design than the one I had. I would definitely be interested on one of those (along with a hidden winch mount, by the way).
I'm also DEFINITELY interested in a low-profile roof rack that mounts to the factory rack locations on the roof, rather than to the factory rack itself. Just this afternoon, I was looking at the racks FrontRunner offers, and I gotta tell ya, a grand (on sale) for a roof rack is hard to swallow! Granted, it looks like a lot of engineering went into making those racks, and it may be that they're well worth what they're asking......just not to me. I guess I'd be willing to give up some of their "modular functionality" for a lesser-priced aluminum rack. I just want a rack to mount a RTT, shovel/axe, kayak, etc., and I can think of a lot of ways to properly secure those things.
I'd also be interested in skid plates, ESPECIALLY if they provided an access plate to get to the dang 2UZ oil filter! HA! I don't know how practical that would be to design, but I can tell you I sure prefer changing the oil on my 100 over my GX!!!
Lastly, I can't agree with The Great Him more on his position about tires! I, too, have bought cheap tires before (even tried some retreads - once), and it's a big mistake. You have to live with tires too long to make a mistake from the very beginning. That is one product that, in most instances, you get what you pay for! You end up with a square set of tires 20,000 miles (or earlier) into your ownership, and you'll be wondering why you cheaped out at the start.....not to mention the other issues you could end up with other than an unpleasant ride! Most have their favorite brand, and I've found mine......and I'll likely never buy anything else.
Please keep us updated. I would be very interested to learn about any of your offerings!
BTW: I dig your logo concept.....except the "offroading like a gentleman" might be step above the "pink panty" perception of many offroaders. Just my $02.
